MEMBER EVENT: NAITA 2015 World Trade Day

NAITA, the Madison County Commission, and Presenting Sponsor Port of Huntsville announce that Rob Schroder, Vice President, International Strategy & Operations, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, will be the Keynote Speaker at the 2015 NAITA World Trade Day Luncheon, in the Mediterranean Ballroom at the Westin Huntsville on Thursday, May 21, 2015, 12:00 p.m. Mr. Schroder brings more than 20 years of leadership experience to the Chamber. As a Marine Corps Officer, he served in multiple combat operations throughout his career as an AV-8B Harrier pilot. From 2009 to 2011, he was the Commander of the “Blacksheep” squadron. Beyond the cockpit, he served as a Congressional Fellow for the 107th Congress and from 2006 to 2009, as the Joint Strike Fighter (F-35) program lead for the Marine Corps. Before joining the Chamber, he was manager of the Global Posture, Strategy, and Plans team in the Office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Mr. Schroder will address Advancing U.S. International Trade Policy for a Globally Competitive Playing Field. New trade agreements have great potential as a tool to stimulate economic growth and job creation. However, to make any growth-driving trade agreements a reality, Congress must first approve Trade Promotion Authority (TPA). Debate over TPA legislation is set to begin in the Senate in the coming week. America can’t lead internationally if our economy slips further behind our foreign competitors. And we can’t grow our economy without a trade agenda that meets the demands of the 21st century – 95% of the world’s consumers live outside U.S. borders. Separately, debate in Congress over the future of the U.S. Export-Import Bank (Ex-Im) is coming to a head because its charter expires on June 30.

World Trade Day recognizes the significance of international trade in the growth and economic well-being of our region. NAITA and the Madison County Commission host the luncheon, which focuses on the importance of international trade to the world economy – and what it means in our local communities. Exports and foreign investment equal jobs, business opportunities, and economic prosperity for North Alabama. The 2015 NAITA Global Trade Award will be presented during this event. Click here to reserve your corporate table or individual seat.

For registration form, click here.